Arnold Schoenberg speaks about George Gershwin (1937)

Arnold Schoenberg speaks about George Gershwin
(Rec. July 12,1937, after the Gershwin's death)

Transcription:
George Gershwin was one of these rare kind of musicians to whom music is not a matter of more or less ability. Music, to him, was the air he breathed, the food which nourished him, the drink that refreshed him. Music was what made him feel and music was the feeling he expressed. Directness of this kind is given only to great men. And there is no doubt that he was a great composer. What he has achieved was not only to the benefit of a national American music but also a contribution to the music of the whole world. In this meaning I want to express the deepest grief for the deplorable loss to music. But may I mention that I lose also a friend whose amiable personality was very dear to me.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Arnold
• Schoenberg
• George
• Gershwin

[maxreger100]

What an eloquent (and brief !) eulogy. Schoenberg uses the beauty of the English language with more grace and insight than most native speakers.

"...the deplorable loss to music" Very moving.

[goodmanmusica]

@maxreger100

yes. I have the recordings of the four Schoenberg quartets by the Kolisch

[maxreger100]

@Hellskald

By the way, are you a fan of the Kolisch Quartet? I was fortunate enough to know their cellist--Benar Heifetz--although I was very young. Did you know that the Kolisch Quartet played all of Schoenberg's quartets from memory! Remarkable.

[maxreger100]

@Hellskald Thanks for your honest assessment. I appreciate and understand your feelings, but I don't believe he was insincere--after all, he didn't have to say anything!

Oscar Levant, a great friend and interpreter of Gershwin's music, was also a student of Schoenberg's. I believe that Levant was able to influence Schoenberg about the validity and originality of Gershwin's music--even if it was miles away from his own precepts.

[Hellskald]

@maxreger100 no, I just find most of his points to be trite, shallow, and not moving at all. Here is the man who helped break Western classical music now completely bowing to the cult of genius on behalf of one of the most pedantic composers of all time. Blech!

[maxreger100]

@Hellskald So what DO you think?--that Schoenberg speaks poorly and is a phony in his sentiments?

[Hellskald]

@maxreger100 disagree with all